Levity Spin
If there’s aerial yoga, why not introduce airplane yoga? True, we are not strung by a hammock suspended, and supported in mid air stretching deeply and defying gravity. But, we are still in mid air, on board, often confined to an uncomfortable seat. There isn’t much room to move, but this is a special time to tune inwards, meditate, free our mind, and discover soothing ways to stretch out the entire body, without even bothering our neighbor. Throughout the years of frequent plane rides I have explored different ways to stimulate the entire body, and to enjoy an inspiring flight. I have often drawn others to join me on the ride. It’s like a domino effect – everyone gets infected and you see a whole compartment doing the same moves. Then others tag along, until you have most of the passengers tune to the groove.
The flight experience is different for everyone. Some are ecstatic – others jittery; some are grumpy, yet others simply doze out and wake up when it’s time to land. But just the fact that we are communing with the air element shifts our consciousness to a different level. It provides space for our thoughts to wander freely and fertilize into creative insights. It allows us to observe our life from a bird’s eye, to look at the bigger picture and find our place in the whole. Being in the air is perhaps the best time to visualize and manifest positive things for the world and ourselves.
According to pagan traditions Air is the element of the East, related to communication, wisdom and the power of the mind. Air in its substance is all around us, it manifests in the breath that is the ultimate precondition for life – it is the carrier for all sound. It is the wind culminating from the heating of the poles and the rotation of the earth. Air can be a gentle breeze and a ferocious, destructive storm. It is the only invisible element that cannot be captured or tamed. It is the free flow of thoughts that form the intellect and its faculty to analyze and synthesize information. It embodies both the amorphous spirit of Fire and the unconscious emotion of Water into definitions and concepts. Air is both structure and conscious realization, both formation and abstraction. In the Taro deck it represents the suit of “swords” or the power of the mind to transform and create reality. When we draw a sword card from a deck we are asked to pause and ponder on the point of inquiry, freeing ourselves from inhibiting patterns and embracing our shadow – for air is the ultimate movement and free flow that brings unrestricted freedom and clarity.
A plane ride invites us to reflect on our lives and see what is no longer pertinent, what needs to be “blown away.” Wind has also the ability to affect the other elements, if subtly. Wind, given time, can wear away Earth, even the tallest mountain. Wind can spread Fire, or whip it so that it blows the Fire out, just as a single breath can blow out a candle. It is the Wind current that takes water back to carry it away if the Fire gets too dominant. Air complements water, earth and fire in the sense that both the Spirit of Fire and the Emotion of Water need the gravitas of creative thought to elicit a conscious realization. In a way, defying gravity allows us to anchor deeper into our true selves.
Gravity is a force our bodies have to work against, which keeps our cells, bones and muscles strong. Remove the force of gravity from the equation and over the duration of a long flight, our bodies undergo dramatic changes. It is useful to mention a couple of flight hazards we should be aware of. First and foremost, the immune system is compromised and we are prone to infection by common and latent viruses as well as microorganisms. As a result we may also experience increased allergy symptoms. Sitting in the same position during a flight makes us prone to blood clots, which prevents the blood flow in the legs and makes our limbs swell. Insufficient leg room, cabin pressure and oxygen concentration could cause hypertension.
As fluids move up from the lower body to the trunk, the heart rate increases and blood pressure rises. It is essential to cut down on coffee and alcohol especially in the run-up to a flight. As an aircraft climbs, decompression can cause gas in the lungs to expand and asthma symptoms to resurface. Also, during descent, air within the ear cavity contracts, forming a slight vacuum, and can cause pain in the ear drum. Gas in the stomach or intestine expands as an aircraft climbs and in some people, it can lead to abdominal pains. Similarly, large changes in altitude can cause toothache, when tiny pockets of gas become trapped in deep fillings, or collected in areas of decay. Cabin air can have the effect of slightly dehydrating the body, made worse by drinking alcohol – so make sure to flood yourself with water, and have a couple airborne vitamins handy, just in case.
Of course, we can avoid all these potential outbreaks if we find 15 minutes to stretch properly and make sure that we take regular walks along the aisles, when our flight exceeds more than four hours. Funny enough, physiologically there is an upside to flying, and it has to do with our joints and vertebrae. No longer compressed by the force of gravity, our back vertebrae separate slightly and create more space so we can get slightly taller. Also, our joints are more “aired” and bendy, and our tendons more supple. So it’s the optimal time to take advantage of being more limber and give yourself the treat with a brief, but juicy yoga sequence. Next time you board the plane, yield to levity and give a new adventurous spin to your flying experience – revitalizing your body and freeing up your mind.
Yogea Airplane Routine: Levity Spin
This short Yogea routine gives you an imaginative array of stretches that you can do aboard the plane. Because of the limited space, and the seated position, the routine focuses on stretching the pelvic and shoulder girdles through binds and forward hinges, and elongating and massaging the spinal muscles through twists and abdominal contractions. Compound stretches work on the hip flexors and “lats”, while side bends alternate with neck rolls and back arches to open the intercostals and the cervical spine. The extremities are also addressed by emphasizing wrist articulation. Mild forward bending variations are also introduced to help the body curl in and unfold. The arms are also toned by practicing modified supported bridge variations that require arm bearing action. The routine targets all muscle and tendon groups and promotes circulation, oxygenation and overall vitality.
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